3 Ways Anxiety and Depression Are Related… and 3 Ways They’re Not

Depression and anxiety are the two most common mental health concerns. On the surface, they may appear quite different. In layman’s terms, anxiety is about nervousness, while depression is all about despair. There is some truth in those perceptions.

Meanwhile, at least half the people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with some kind of anxiety disorder. The conditions are related. Yet, they are different. Their fundamental causes could be similar. How they manifest in each person can be incredibly distinct. Educating yourself on how anxiety and depression are related (or not) can be crucial in getting the support you need.

3 Ways Anxiety & Depression Are Not Related

1. Depression Symptoms

Symptoms of anxiety and depression may overlap, e.g., changes in appetite and eating habits, inability to concentrate, and general fatigue. However, depression’s hallmark signs are usually unmistakable. These include but are not limited to:

• Losing interest in activities that once excited you

• Ongoing feeling of profound sadness

• Chronic thoughts of death, dying, and suicide

2. Anxiety Symptoms

Anxiety symptoms that are not usually associated with depression:

• Physical: breathing issues (shortness or hyperventilation), dry mouth, nausea and dizziness, muscle tension and aches, heart palpitations, your hand or feet get numb, tingly, sweaty, or cold.

• Psychological: inability to stay calm, restlessness, a relentless sense of panic and fear, rumination, avoidance of people, places, or things that cause fear

3. General Outlook and Mood

Anxiety and depression are experienced quite differently. In fact, they’ve been called two sides of the same coin. For example, someone with depression may think about death because they feel life is hopeless. When a person with anxiety thinks about death, it’s almost certainly because they fear a (real or perceived) threat to their well-being.

3 Ways Anxiety & Depression Are Related

1. Cause and Effect

Let’s return to something touched on above: at least half the people diagnosed with depression are also diagnosed with some kind of anxiety disorder.

2. When Anxiety Leads the Way

Generally speaking, if you have an anxiety disorder, there is an increased possibility of acquiring depression. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a form of anxiety. People suffering from this trauma-related disorder are at high risk of developing depression.

3. When Depression Leads the Way

Conversely, someone with depression may begin to feel anxious about their condition. Left unchecked or unnoticed, this trend increases the likelihood of a co-existing anxiety disorder developing.

How Do You Know If You’re Dealing With Both Anxiety and Depression?

For starters, re-read the symptoms listed above. If any of them persist, it warrants your attention. Neither depression nor anxiety should ever be downplayed or ignored. However, if you notice an increase in signs from both lists, it is a red flag. Monitor closely and do not ever hesitate to reach out for support and help.

Treatment for Both Anxiety and Depression

Since both disorders are so common, a silver lining of sorts is the amount of time and work that goes into finding effective treatment options. Reaching out to an experienced mental health practitioner is the first step to learning more about these approaches. From there, you can be assessed and collaborate with a therapist for treatment.

In some instances, medication is suggested. But, in almost every case, counseling is the entry point. Simultaneously, you will learn a wide range of self-help steps that can complement your treatment. These may include lifestyle changes, self-care, and relaxation techniques.

You can live free of both anxiety and depression. Let’s get you started on the path to recovery with a free and confidential consultation.

5 Symptoms of Anxiety and How to Treat It

Anxiety disorders are the most common mental health issue on the planet. According to the World Health Organization, there may have been a 25 percent increase in anxiety since March 2020. They’re not talking about temporary nervousness or worry. In this context, “anxiety” means “anxiety disorder.” And these conditions were around long before anyone had uttered the word “Covid.”

The first step toward addressing this problem is awareness. What does anxiety look and feel like? How do we treat it? What kind of self-help steps should be taken? In the name of self-education, let’s take a closer look.

5 Symptoms of Anxiety

Before listing possible symptoms, it is important to note that there are several different types of anxiety disorders. The most common is Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). Other anxiety-related conditions include but are not limited to:

• Social Anxiety

• Specific Phobias

• Panic Disorder

• Separation Anxiety

• Medication-Induced Anxiety Disorder

• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Of course, each variation presents in different ways. However, here are symptom categories that usually transcend all of the disorders:

1. General Edginess

Signs like this would be what you might expect to see in anyone who is highly stressed or fearful:

• Can’t calm oneself

• Unable to sit still

• Can’t concentrate, focus, or make decisions

• Seeing danger everywhere

• An overall feeling of panic and impending doom

2. Unexplained Physical Concerns

General edginess does not exist without impacting one’s physical being. Anxiety can present itself through bodily symptoms like:

• Tight, achy muscles

• Headaches

• Hyperventilation

• Dry mouth

• Cold hands and/or feet

• Hands and/or feet tingling or numb

• Dizziness

• Racing heart rate

• Heart palpitations

3. Sleep Disturbances

Someone in a state of hyper-arousal and hyper-vigilance is likely going to struggle to get to sleep and stay asleep. In addition, the panic and doom mentioned above in #1 make it feel like sleep is risky or dangerous. Unfortunately, lack of steady sleep can exasperate any anxiety symptoms.

4. Digestive and Gastrointestinal Problems

People talk about feeling something in their gut. You might get “butterflies” before a big event. The brain and the gut work in tandem. Thus, an anxiety disorder can throw off the delicate balance. Some digestive red flags to watch for:

• Nausea

• Constipation

• Change in appetite (more or less)

• Cramps

• Diarrhea

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

• Peptic ulcers

5. Phobias

Phobias are a form of anxiety disorder. They can also exist as a general symptom of anxiety. You’re left to obsessively avoid people, objects, or places. All of these can be viewed as the primary source of anxiety. For example, someone with social anxiety may choose to avoid any reminder of a person or location that triggers a bad or embarrassing memory.

How to Treat Anxiety

Anxiety is a diagnosable mental health disorder. If any of the above resonated with you, it makes sense to talk with a professional. Talk therapy is a powerful source of support. Running parallel to such treatment, there are self-initiated steps that can help facilitate recovery, e.g.:

• General self-care: Safeguarding your sleep, eating, and physical activity habits each day.

• Relaxation techniques: Popular choices involve breathing exercises, mindfulness, and meditation.

• Socializing: Anxiety can convince you to isolate, but you need to be around trusted friends and family members.

• Hobbies and interests: These can enrich you and add some creativity to your day-to-day life.

Again, seeking professional help is essential. Your weekly therapy sessions can serve as a workshop of sorts. Together with your counselor, you can explore patterns, underlying causes, and solutions.

I’ve worked with countless clients who were struggling with anxiety. I’d love to help you, too. You can heal from anxiety and thrive in new ways. Let’s connect for a free and confidential consultation.

What is Depression? Signs, Causes, and Treatments

“I feel depressed.” This is an honest expression of mood. Everyone gets sad at times. Life is a ride of ups and downs. We can’t expect always to be happy, and maybe that’s a good thing. The experience of being sad allows us to appreciate joy so much more. So, being “depressed” is normal. That said, “depression” is much more than that.

Depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is a diagnosis. It’s a relatively common mental health condition that requires professional intervention. Without such support, it can escalate into a hazardous situation. This makes it crucial that we can identify the signs and get the help we need.

Signs of Depression

Like any disorder, it can look different from person to person. However, there are some common signs to watch for. These include:

• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed (including sex)

• Changes in eating habits and appetite

• Changes in sleep patterns with insomnia as an option

• Feeling guilty and ashamed

• Hopelessness and helplessness

• Digestive disturbances

• Inability to concentrate or make decisions

• Chronic physical aches, pains, and tension with no clear explanation

• Fatigue, restlessness, and irritability

• Relentless feelings of sadness or being empty

• Thoughts of death, dying, and suicide

• Suicide attempts

As you can see, most of these symptoms could easily be mistaken for something else. If this list sounds at all familiar, please explore the possibility of depression as the cause.

Causes of Depression

Depression has no single known cause. That said, several important factors have been identified, e.g.:

• Elderly people are at a higher risk than others

• Those with substance abuse problems are more frequently diagnosed with depression

• A family history of depression can increase the risk

• Women are diagnosed with depression twice as often as men

Here are some risk factors and concurrent issues also connected with major depressive disorder:

• Certain medications (like corticosteroids)

• Having experienced the loss of a loved one

• Going through a serious physical illness

• Experiencing sexual, physical, and emotional abuse

• Enduring a major life event (this can include happy events)

• Social isolation

• Conflict in your life

• The presence of other mental health conditions

As you can see, there are instances where a direct cause-and-effect can be identified. Even so, depression most often develops from a combination of factors and events. This can also make it harder to identify and thus cause a delay in getting help initially. Effective treatment exists, so it’s in your best interest to look into your options.

Examples of Depression Treatment

Self-Help

Basic self-care tactics can go a long way. Elements to consider:

• Regular sleep patterns

• Healthy eating choices

• Daily exercise and physical activity

• Stress management and relaxation techniques

Prioritize yourself! Self-care alone is not the answer to depression, but it lays a foundation.

Alternative Approaches

When your depression is not severe, you may wish to try something like acupuncture or hypnotherapy. Studies show positive results in these scenarios.

Medication

There are cases when medication will be prescribed. If you reach this point, it is essential to have a qualified mental health practitioner to offer guidance.

Therapy

(see below)

Counseling is the Best Starting Point

I know it can be tough to break past the stigma, but there is no shame in experiencing depression. It’s no more a sign of weakness than a broken bone. Working with a therapist empowers you to:

• Manage symptoms

• Identify root causes

• Give voice to your fears and doubts

• Heal from your core emotional wounds

If depression is trying to take control of your life, we should talk. I invite you to reach out to set up a free consultation.